U.S. patent application number 10/749304 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for peripheral device including features of a mouse and of a remote control unit.
Invention is credited to Clapper, Edward O..
Application Number | 20050146497 10/749304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711048 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050146497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clapper, Edward O. |
July 7, 2005 |
Peripheral device including features of a mouse and of a remote
control unit
Abstract
In some embodiments an apparatus includes mouse features and
remote control unit features. The mouse features include surface
based navigation such that a movement of the apparatus relative to
another object is translated into electronic signals. Other
embodiments are described and claimed.
Inventors: |
Clapper, Edward O.; (Tempe,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
SEVENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90025-1030
US
|
Family ID: |
34711048 |
Appl. No.: |
10/749304 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2005/4432 20130101;
G06F 3/03543 20130101; H04N 21/42206 20130101; G08C 2201/32
20130101; G06F 3/0219 20130101; G06F 2203/0333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising: mouse features that include surface
based navigation such that a movement of the apparatus relative to
another object is translated into electronic signals; and remote
control unit features.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mouse features
additionally include a scroll wheel and at least one mouse click
button.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface based
navigation of the mouse features includes an optical mouse
transception device on the bottom of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control
unit features are features including number buttons and at least
one mode selection button.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
mode selection button is to be used to select at least one device
to be controlled by the apparatus.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
wireless connection port to wirelessly connect the apparatus to at
least one of a computer and a consumer electronics device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
wireless connection port to wirelessly connect the apparatus to a
computer and to a consumer electronics device.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a
handheld peripheral computer/consumer electronics convergence
device.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a
universal remote configurable by a computer.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel, and wherein the scroll wheel may be
used to perform at least one of the following functions on at least
one of a computer, a consumer electronics device, and a convergence
computer/consumer electronics device: adjust volume, navigate
channels, navigate a scroll bar, perform a zoom function, fast
forward, and rewind.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is to
control a computer and a consumer electronics device.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the scroll wheel
is able to perform at least one of the following control functions
on another device: volume adjustment, channel navigation, scroll
bar navigation, zoom, fast forward, and rewind.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the scroll wheel
is able to perform at least one of the following control functions
on a consumer electronics device: volume adjustment, channel
navigation, scroll bar navigation, zoom, fast forward, and
rewind.
15. A system comprising: a screen; media processed from a source
and displayed on the screen; and a peripheral to interface with the
processed media displayed on the screen, the peripheral including:
mouse features that include surface based navigation such that a
movement of the apparatus relative to another object is translated
into electronic signals to interact with the processed media; and
remote control unit features.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel and at least one mouse click
button.
17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the surface based
navigation of the mouse features includes an optical mouse
transception device on the bottom of the peripheral.
18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the remote control
unit features are features including number buttons and at least
one mode selection button.
19. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a wireless
connection port to wirelessly connect the peripheral to interact
with the processed media displayed on the screen.
20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral is a
handheld peripheral computer/consumer electronics convergence
device.
21. The system according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral is a
universal remote configurable by a computer.
22. The system according to claim 15, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel, and wherein the scroll wheel may be
used to perform at least one of the following functions on the
displayed media: adjust volume, navigate channels, navigate a
scroll bar, zoom, fast forward, and rewind.
23. The system according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral device
is to control the displayed media using the mouse features and the
remote control unit features.
24. The system according to claim 15, wherein the screen is
included within at least one of a computer, a consumer electronics
device and a convergence computer/consumer electronics device.
25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the consumer
electronics device is at least one of a VCR, a TV, a set top
pointing device, a set top box, a set top device, a set top
computer, a CD player, a CD recorder, a DVD player, a DVD recorder,
an MP3 player, an MP3 recorder, a personal video player, and a
personal video recorder.
26. The system according to claim 15, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel.
27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the scroll wheel is
able to perform at least one of the following control functions on
the displayed media: volume adjustment, channel navigation, scroll
bar navigation, zoom, fast forward, and rewind.
28. A method comprising: performing media control and computer
control using a single device that includes mouse functions and
remote control functions, the mouse functions including surface
based navigation such that a movement relative to another object is
translated into electronic signals.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising enabling a
switching between the media control and the computer control based
on a context of the device.
30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising wirelessly
connecting the device to a computer and to a consumer electronics
device.
31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the device is a
universal remote, and further comprising configuring the universal
remote using a computer.
32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the mouse features
further include a scroll wheel, and wherein the scroll wheel may be
used to perform at least one of the following functions on at least
one of a computer and a consumer electronics device: adjust volume,
navigate channels, navigate a scroll bar, zoom, fast forward, and
rewind.
33. The method according to claim 28, further comprising
controlling a computer and a consumer electronics device using the
mouse features and the remote control unit features.
34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising using the
surface based navigation as a scrubbing tool to move rapidly
through processed media.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The inventions generally relate to a peripheral device
including features of a mouse and features of a remote control
unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Convergence devices have become available that combine
features of computers (for example, PCs) and consumer electronic
(CE) devices (for example, TVs). However, these convergence devices
have previously used a remote control device that is a separate
device from the mouse device. This can become a hassle for a user
to switch between remote control and mouse devices while using the
convergence device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The inventions will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings
of some embodiments of the inventions which, however, should not be
taken to limit the inventions to the specific embodiments
described, but are for explanation and understanding only.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a peripheral device
according to some embodiments of the inventions.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a right side view illustrating a peripheral device
according to some embodiments of the inventions.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating a peripheral device
according to some embodiments of the inventions.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a peripheral device according
to some embodiments of the inventions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Some embodiments of the inventions relate to a peripheral
device combining features of a mouse and a remote control unit.
[0009] In some embodiments an apparatus includes mouse features and
remote control unit features. The mouse features include surface
based navigation such that a movement of the apparatus relative to
another object is translated into electronic signals.
[0010] In some embodiments a system includes a screen, media
processed from a source, and a peripheral to interact with the
processed media for display on the screen. The peripheral includes
mouse features and remote control unit features. The mouse features
include surface based navigation such that a movement of the
peripheral relative to another object is translated into electronic
signals.
[0011] In some embodiments a single device is used to switch
between media control and computer control. The device includes
mouse functions and remote control functions. The mouse functions
include surface based navigation such that a movement of the device
relative to another object is translated into electronic
signals.
[0012] In some embodiments media control and computer control are
performed using a single device that includes mouse functions and
remote control functions. The mouse functions include surface based
navigation such that a movement relative to another object is
translated into electronic signals.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a peripheral device 100 according to some
embodiments. Peripheral device 100 includes a scroll wheel 102, a
button 104 (left click), a button 106 (right click) 106, a first
row of buttons 108 (including, for example, DVD, CD and/or MP3, PC
(or more generally "computer"), TV and VCR mode buttons), a second
row of buttons 110 (including, for example, menu, channel,
stop/pause/play, volume and mute buttons), a third row of buttons
112 (including, for example, number 1, 2 and 3 buttons), a fourth
row of buttons 114 (including, for example, number 4, 5 and 6
buttons), a fifth row of buttons 116 (including, for example,
number 7, 8 and 9 buttons), a sixth row of buttons (including, for
example, asterisk *, number 0, and pound sign # buttons), and a
communication port 122 (for example, a short-range radio frequency
RF and/or infrared port). Peripheral device 100 also includes on
the bottom side (not illustrated) additional mouse features (for
example, peripheral device 100 can function as an optical mouse
without moving parts via optical transception on the bottom of the
device). The scroll wheel 102, button 104 (left click) and button
106 (right click), and the additional mouse features on the bottom
of peripheral device 100 as described above are mouse features that
may be included in peripheral device 100 according to some
embodiments. In some embodiments these mouse features 102, 104, 106
(and of the bottom of the device) can perform functions similar to
that of a mouse, as well as additional functions. The first,
second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth row of buttons 108, 110,
112, 114, 116 and 118 are similar to buttons currently found on
some consumer electronics (CE) devices (for example, audio/visual
devices), although all of these buttons may not be found on CE
devices (for example, a "PC" button as in the first row 108).
[0014] As mentioned above, peripheral device 100 also includes on
the bottom side (not illustrated) additional mouse features.
Specifically, the bottom of the device 100 includes surface
navigation by moving the device 100 relative to a surface (for
example, in some embodiments a flat table surface, a pant leg, a
cushion of a sofa, a floor surface, etc.). The surface navigation
is surface based transception that translates movement of the
bottom of device 100 relative to another surface into electronic
signals. Such surface navigation is implemented in some embodiments
with features of an electronic mouse using a ball cage at the
bottom of the mouse that rolls relative to a surface. In some
embodiments, device 100 functions as an optical mouse without
moving parts via optical transception on the bottom of the device.
Such ability to function as an optical mouse would allow the mouse
bottom to navigate relative to many surfaces without requiring
moving parts and/or the mouse to actually touch the surface (since
optics are used rather than physical moving parts).
[0015] In some embodiments the surface navigation is used as a way
to control something. The physical surface navigation may be used
as a media transport. For example, a normal DVD player (with
typical remote control buttons) allows a DVD to be played, a pause,
fast forward, etc. to occur. Some DVD and/or VCR players have a jog
wheel which allows a user to perform fast forward. According to
some embodiments a user could fast forward a DVD, VCR tape, etc.
using surface navigation similar to a "scrubbing tool". That is,
the mouse may be moved in a predetermined direction (for example,
right for fast forward, left for rewind). The faster the mouse is
moved the faster the media would be fast forwarded (or rewound),
for example. In some embodiments the moving of mouse could be
implemented in conjunction with some other button (for example, in
some embodiments moving the mouse fast in a particular direction
along with hitting the right click button).
[0016] In some embodiments a switching of the device may be
performed (for example, between media control and computer control)
based on the context of the device (or the "focus" of the device).
For example, in a computer software environment even though three
software applications might be running at once, only one of those
three applications can have the "focus". In some embodiments the
device 100 might need to know whether to control a TV or a
computer, for example. This can be determined based on the context.
The context may be identified, for example, based on a user input
(for example, a button on the device, user input through software
indicating different scenarios where the user pre-selects a
particular context, all functions mapped out in advance, etc.)
and/or may be based on computer determination. The context is
automatically detected and/or understood. For example, if a user
switches from a computer mode to a DVD mode, then all transport
functions switch over to the context of a DVD player. In some
embodiments a user might pre-select that whenever the user's
favorite TV shows are playing (or about to play in five minutes,
for example) then change the context to a TV context so that the
device will navigate the TV function.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a left side view of peripheral device 100
according to some embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view
of peripheral device 100 according to some embodiments. FIG. 4
illustrates another view of peripheral device 100 according to some
embodiments.
[0018] In some embodiments a peripheral includes the capabilities,
functions, and/or features of a mouse and of a consumer electronics
(CE) remote control unit. In some embodiments a handheld
convergence peripheral includes the capabilities, functions, and/or
features of a mouse and of a consumer electronics (CE) handheld
remote control unit. In some embodiments the peripheral
communicates with a computer and/or with a consumer electronics
(CE) device using mouse and/or CE capabilities, features and/or
functions.
[0019] In some embodiments a peripheral device can be set to
control and/or interact with some or all of the following devices:
a VCR, a TV, a computer (and/or a PC), a set top pointing device, a
set top box, a set top device, a set top computer (for example, a
set top PC), a CD (compact disc) device (for example, CD player
and/or recorder), a DVD device (for example, DVD player and/or
recorder), an MP3 device (for example, MP3 player and/or recorder),
a personal video player, a personal video recorder (PVR, such as a
TiVo device that can record and play video), a convergence device
(for example, a converged computer/consumer electronics device such
as a Gateway Media Center PC), etc. Control of these various
devices can be implemented in some embodiments by using common
control buttons such as a scroll wheel, number entry, etc. In some
embodiments a mode button is chosen to control the device that a
user is interested in controlling or using. In some embodiments
some of the devices (for example, DVD player) could be a "virtual
device". That is, the DVD player (or other device) could be a
virtualized DVD player (or other device) running on software of a
computer.
[0020] In a mouse mode, a peripheral device according to some
embodiments functions as a mouse to move the device relative to a
surface (for example an optical mouse without any moving parts
using optical transception on the bottom of the device). In some
embodiments the peripheral device is in communication with a
computer and/or CE device via short-range RF (radio frequency)
and/or is in communication with legacy CE devices using infrared.
In some embodiments a scroll wheel on a peripheral device may be
used to do any or all of the following: volume adjustment, channel
navigation, scroll bar navigation, zoom function, and fast
forward/rewind in video and/or audio player control (for example,
in a shuttle mode).
[0021] In some embodiments the peripheral device allows a user to
switch between media control and computer use without changing the
device. In some embodiments the user is able to more quickly
understand the full features of a device, since the functions are
evident in the remote interface itself. In some embodiments, using
a combination of RF and infrared, the device can be made to be a
universal remote that, in some embodiments is configurable by a
computer. In some embodiments a mode button may be used in
conjunction with the number pad (for example, to select multiple
computers, TVs, etc.) In some embodiments the number pad on the
peripheral device may be used to enter numbers in the same way as
the numeric keypad of a keyboard.
[0022] In some embodiments the scroll wheel may be used to provide
functional control in a wide variety of different contexts. For
example, in any device mode, the scroll wheel may be used to adjust
different features (for example, a device is chosen with a device
mode button, the volume button (VOL) is then depressed and the
scroll wheel is then used to activate volume control by moving the
scroll up or down to adjust volume up or down accordingly).
Additionally, for example, in a TV device mode, the channel
function may be activated by hitting a CH (channel) button, and the
scroll wheel may then be used to change TV channels. Similar
functions may be implemented, for example, for DVD chapters, CD
song selections, fast forward, rewind, etc. by using the scroll
wheel and/or the left and right click buttons.
[0023] In some embodiments a rigid button structure may be used to
ensure that a user does not inadvertently push some of the other
buttons when the user is using the mouse functions of the
peripheral. In some embodiments software may be used to provide the
peripheral device with some conceptual logic to determine whether
or not a button pushed in a certain mode (or context) was really
intended or not.
[0024] Although some embodiments have been described in reference
to particular implementations such as a peripheral device having
the particular features, functions, buttons, etc. illustrated in
the drawings, other implementations are possible according to some
embodiments (e.g., a peripheral device with different features and
functions than those illustrated in the drawings and described
herein). Additionally, the arrangement of remote control features
and mouse features illustrated in the drawings and described in
reference thereto need not be arranged in the particular way
illustrated and described. Many other arrangements are possible
according to some embodiments.
[0025] In each system shown in a figure, the elements in some cases
may each have a same reference number or a different reference
number to suggest that the elements represented could be different
and/or similar. However, an element may be flexible enough to have
different implementations and work with some or all of the systems
shown or described herein. The various elements shown in the
figures may be the same or different. Which one is referred to as a
first element and which is called a second element is
arbitrary.
[0026] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the
inventions. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one
embodiment," "some embodiments," or "other embodiments" means that
a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiments is included in at least some
embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the
inventions. The various appearances "an embodiment," "one
embodiment," or "some embodiments" are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiments.
[0027] If the specification states a component, feature, structure,
or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, for
example, that particular component, feature, structure, or
characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification
or claim refers to "a" or "an" element, that does not mean there is
only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to
"an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more
than one of the additional element.
[0028] Although flow diagrams and/or state diagrams may have been
used herein to describe embodiments, the inventions are not limited
to those diagrams or to corresponding descriptions herein. For
example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state,
or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described
herein.
[0029] The inventions are not restricted to the particular details
listed herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art having the benefit
of this disclosure will appreciate that many other variations from
the foregoing description and drawings may be made within the scope
of the present inventions. Accordingly, it is the following claims
including any amendments thereto that define the scope of the
inventions.
* * * * *